Elizabeth Taylor’s influence is back in the spotlight, with the Hollywood icon’s legacy experiencing a renaissance among younger generations. Through the use of modern day technology and media platforms, Taylor’s groundbreaking contributions to the world of fame and celebrity are being rediscovered and appreciated by a new generation of fans.
Reviving Elizabeth Taylor’s Legacy
In the era of streaming platforms and social media, entertainment legends like Elizabeth Taylor are not just being rediscovered, but reactivated. The Hollywood icon has attracted a new wave of young fans with the launch of the podcast “Elizabeth the First,” narrated by pop star Katy Perry. This podcast explores how Taylor reshaped the phenomenon of celebrity itself.
In addition to the podcast, Taylor’s TikTok account, managed by her estate, posted its first clip in 2022. Around the same time, her official website underwent a youthful redesign. The site catalogues more than 20,000 fashion items and accessories from Taylor’s closet, many of which continue to circulate through global auctions.
Multiplatform Revival of Taylor’s Legacy
This momentum carried into 2024 with HBO’s documentary “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes,” which brought to light never-before-heard interviews. The latest addition to Taylor’s multiplatform revival is the biographical series “Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar,” which premieres on Hollywood Suite, available through Prime Video.
These offerings are ushering in a new “Liz-abethan” period, defined by the enduring queen-ery of an Oscar-winning talent, shrewd entrepreneur, scandal-scarred icon and steadfast HIV/AIDS activist. Her blueprint for stardom – bold, self-directed and years ahead of its time – has been reclaimed by influential figures like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift.
The Influence of Elizabeth Taylor on Modern Celebrities
Swift, whose 2025 album “Life of a Showgirl” includes a song called “Elizabeth Taylor,” announced the album’s track list on her now-fiancée Travis Kelce’s podcast days before its release. The anthem is a pop-tinted, Taylor-on-Taylor character study, with Swift channeling Liz’s signature winking sarcasm in her lyrics.
“She is the perfect star for TikTok. It’s a shame she can’t see how much she’s starting to mean to young people,” said Caroline Sciama, one of the filmmakers behind “Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar.”
Reappraising Women of Power
“We’re a generation looking to reappraise women, especially to see them for their power,” Sciama said. Kim Kardashian, who co-produced the docuseries “Rebel Superstar,” serves as a cultural bridge, linking contemporary celebrity branding to Taylor’s pioneering influence. Within the fashion and beauty industries, Taylor’s commercially triumphant White Diamonds perfume is widely recognized as a precursor to Kardashian’s SKIMS-era success.
Although some may question the connection, the lineage is one the series repeatedly underscores. Rather than collating viral clips, the filmmakers approached the project as an act of historical curation, demonstrating how stars reshaped culture without chasing likes or followers.
Preserving Taylor’s Legacy in the Digital Age
However, some worry about how younger audiences frame Taylor’s legacy. Hannon Bell, one of the world’s foremost collectors of Elizabeth Taylor photography, expresses concern over the disrespectful manipulation of Taylor’s image in the digital age. Bell has invested more than $200,000 in roughly 20,000 images of Taylor, and believes her dignity and perseverance should be respected.
“Elizabeth Taylor was objectively stunning, and yet her looks were probably the least remarkable thing about her,” says Rory Uphold, Canadian-American actress, podcaster and author. Uphold’s 2025 book, “The Final Girl’s Guide to the Horrors of Dating,” draws inspiration from Taylor’s endurance.
Quoting Taylor’s line, “I’ve always been very aware of the inner me that has nothing to do with the physical me,” Uphold adds: “She not only survived personal and professional ‘horrors,’ she thrived. And I believe that is what this generation is drawn to.”
